Second win over Spotsylvania highlight of Cavs’ baseball week

The Caroline baseball team felt the effects of having games cancelled due to weather the previous week when they visited Brooke Pointe High School on Monday of last week, losing to the Black Hawks 12-6.

Brooke Point 12, CHS 6

Things looked good for the Cavaliers as they broke a 2-2 tie in the third and sat on a 5-3 advantage. Two thirds of the way into the third inning, Brooke Point’s Morris came to the mound in relief of Wilson, who took a pounding from the Caroline batters as they picked up five earned runs off of five hits and four walks.

Morris stymied the Cavalier bats while the Black Hawk batters had their way with Caroline’s pitching staff for the remainder of the game. The fourth inning proved to be terminal for Caroline as Brooke Point scored six runs from three hits (two singles and a double) and four walks to go ahead for good with the score 8-5. Scoring two runs in each of their final two at bats, the Black Hawks ran away with the contest for a final tally of 12-6.

Morris was awarded the win, pitching four and a third innings and allowing only one run and two hits while striking out five and walking four. Morris came on in relief for Wilson who was charged with five earned runs and five hits.  Stoneman was the hot bat for the Black Hawks, hitting 3-4 and scoring three runs. His three doubles earned him two RBI. Designated hitter, Caliri, batted 2-3 while scoring one run and accumulating two RBI.

Caroline’s Tyler Tarrh pitched for three innings and was relieved due to a high pitch count.  Tarrh allowed only two runs and three hits while striking out one and walking three. Pitching in relief, Alex Desjarlais went two innings and was charged with six runs on three hits while walking four. Desjarlais was charged with the loss. Closer Ryan Hickman came to the mound from his position as catcher and pitched the last two innings. Hickman struck out four but allowed five hits, which resulted in four runs.

CHS 2, Spotsylvania 0

On Wednesday of last week the Spotsylvania Knights visited the Bowling Green stadium to avenge the Cavaliers for defeating them earlier in the season. However, history repeated itself and Caroline took Spotsylvania to task in a close game that ended 2-0, giving the Cavaliers a sweep of the Knights. The only threat the Knights presented was in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Ace Collin Hess proved his mettle by striking out the next three batters to close out the top of the inning and keep Caroline’s lead intact.

Hess, awarded the win, pitched an entire game, striking out nine while handcuffing Spotsylvania with only three singles and three walks. Bill Wojcik continued to show his power at the plate, going 1-3 and scoring one of Caroline’s two runs. Tyler Tarrh showed his stuff with his bat by hitting 1-2 and scoring the Cavaliers’ other run.

Dick Smith of Spotsylvania was charged with the loss. Though he struck out seven, Caroline was able to collect seven hits and two runs from his pitching.  Catcher Austin Castle batted 1-3 to lead the Spotsylvania effort.

King George 5, CHS 2

On Friday, a four-run second for the King George Foxes put them ahead for good as they defeated Caroline 5-2. Cole Grinde started on the mound and was charged with all five runs along with the loss. He was not helped by the play of his teammates, who at times appeared to have their minds elsewhere in comparison to the Foxes who played crisp ball in the initial innings of the game. The Cavaliers allowed themselves to be outplayed by a team they should have beaten.

After a disastrous second inning, Caroline came back in the fifth and sixth innings as King George began a meltdown in which they made three errors in a row, allowing the Cavaliers  to score two runs.  For Caroline, it was too little, too late.

King George pitcher, Dre Turner, was awarded the win, pitching three innings, striking out four and accumulating only one hit and walking none. In the fourth inning, Miles Levell pitched in relief, striking out four and walking one. Closer Zach Johnson struck out three in the final two innings. Centerfielder Austin Halter led the charge for King George at the plate as he swung 2-4, scoring a run and two RBI. Shane Riviello was 2-3 with two doubles and two runs.

Grinde was relieved by sophomore Matt Carter in the third, effectively shutting down the King George offense for the rest of the game. Carter allowed only one single for the rest of the game while striking out three and walking none. A three-hit night made the Caroline offense sparse as they were led by Grinde, whose large bat was limited to a 1-2 performance including a double and a run scored.

This week

This week the Cavaliers were scheduled to host the Courtland Cougars on Tuesday. Wednesday they play at Deep Run. Thursday they play James Monroe for Senior Night. The final regular season game will be against Chancellor.